Jim Jones Heading To Trial; Attorney Says Lawsuit Is About Money

Diplomat rapper Jim Jones was in court today (March 24) to faces misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an altercation inside New York’s Louis Vuitton store last December with Ne-Yo’s manager Jayvon Smith. According to Jones attorney Scott E. Leemon, the case will now be postponed until April 21 per a discovery motion by the defendant.

“We rejected a recommendation from the D.A. that Jim plead guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge and a sentence of 10 days community service [and] 15 days [in] jail if he did not complete.” Leemon said in an exclusive statement.

Although Jones was initially named by media as the mastermind behind the alleged assault on Smith, Leemon claims that the entire case is nothing more than a smokescreen for a monetary lawsuit.

“This is nothing more than a set-up for a civil suit,” Leemon stated. “There are no real injuries and an eyewitness has stated several times that Jim was not the person who started the physical altercation.”

After the court appearance, Jones conducted a CD signing at Union Square’s Virgin Megastore for his new LP Pray IV Reign.

Backed by Columbia Records, the album marks Jones’ major label debut.

All this week, the Harlemite will be performing in his off-Broadway play entitled The Hip Hop Monologues: Inside the Life and Mind of Jim Jones at Manhattan’s 37 Arts Theatre.